What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
C12-16 Alcohols
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Benzyl Glycol
SolventHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Zea Mays Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Stearic Acid, C12-16 Alcohols, Carbomer, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Palmitic Acid, Tromethamine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Butylene Glycol, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Propanediol, Benzyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Zea Mays Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Rose Extract 36%
Skin ConditioningHoney Extract 10%
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientTrimethylolpropane Tricaprylate/Tricaprate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Cyclomethicone
Emollient
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Brassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientPEG-5 Rapeseed Sterol
Cleansing
Cholesterol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ceteth-3
EmulsifyingCeteth-5
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Royal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Damascena Callus Culture Extract
Antioxidant
Rosa Damascena Phytoplacenta Culture Extract
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Rose Flower Oil
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Morus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRh-Polypeptide-64
Skin Conditioning
Rose Extract 36%, Honey Extract 10%, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Trimethylolpropane Tricaprylate/Tricaprate, Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Brassica Campestris Sterols, PEG-5 Rapeseed Sterol, Cholesterol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Ceteth-3, Ceteth-5, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyglutamic Acid, Ceramide NP, Stearic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Oleic Acid, Adenosine, Propolis Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Rosa Damascena Callus Culture Extract, Rosa Damascena Phytoplacenta Culture Extract, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Rose Flower Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Water, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rh-Polypeptide-64
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
